Tile flooring is a popular choice in bathrooms and kitchens. The two most popular materials for tile floors are ceramic and porcelain. Ceramic tile flooring is durable, water-resistant and less expensive than porcelain. Porcelain tile and flooring is very hard and heavy, and will last as long as your home does if it’s installed properly.

Benefits of Tile Flooring

There are many benefits of tile flooring that you should consider:

• Both ceramic and porcelain tile are extremely durable.
• Porcelain and ceramic tile is budget-friendly
• Porcelain and ceramic tile repel water, mold and bacteria, making them an ideal choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Tile flooring is low-maintenance and do not require sealing like a stone floor does.
• You can install tile flooring (both porcelain tile and ceramic tile) without professional assistance.

Drawbacks of Tile Flooring

In addition to the benefits of tile flooring, there are also some disadvantages you should be aware of:

• Although porcelain tile is much more durable than ceramic tile, it’s one of the most expensive flooring options available.
• Tile flooring is very hard and can feel cold to the touch, which is particularly unfortunate in bathrooms, where you’re likely to have bare feet.
• Ceramic and porcelain tile require care when installing: Ceramic tiles are delicate, and the heaviness of porcelain tiles makes them tricky to install.

How to Install Tile Flooring

Both ceramic and porcelain tile floors can be installed without the help of a contractor. Ceramic tile is slightly easier to install because the tiles are lighter. Before starting, check that the subfloor is clean and dry. (Tile floors can also be installed over a pre-existing vinyl floor.) Cut ceramic tiles using a wet saw. Porcelain tiles require a diamond wet saw because they’re so hard. Use only an adhesive made for use on ceramic tiles, and apply tiling to one small section of the floor at a time. Allow the floor to dry for 24 hours before walking on it to prevent the tiles from shifting.

Be very careful when you install tile floors. The delicacy of ceramic tiles and the weight of porcelain tiles can cause the tiles to break easily. If you’re not sure of your ability to properly install tile flooring, call a professional installation company. You can also visit a hardware store to get detailed instructions on laying tile flooring.

Tile Floor Maintenance

Tile flooring is very easy to maintain. Simply sweep porcelain and ceramic tiles on a regular basis to remove dust, dirt and hair, then mop with a damp cloth and mild soap. Don’t use abrasive cleaners on tile flooring, as they may leave scratches on the floor’s surface. Tile floors don’t require any professional cleaning or sealing services.